.

Artwork by Sylvia Keys

Above: Artwork by Jean Larcher and donated

to WCG.

IN THIS ISSUE

– Membership News– For Sale

– 2015 GracefulEnvelope Call

for Entries Reminder– Study Opportunities

– From the Media– DebunkingPro-CursiveArguments

– Gallery Space– March Meeting

Information

FROM THE PRESIDENT...On Saturday, January 17, 2015, after a short and severe illness, a good friend and member of our Guild passed away. This was Jean Larcher, a most generous and encouraging member, sharing often with us from France. Many of us continue to hold on to his beautifully addressed envelopes, which we have because he would spontaneously send us pieces, large and small (one of which is shown above–others are interspersed throughout this issue–all valued parts of the Guild's collection). His power and creativity will live on in his works. Last year he finished and published his book “Character Traits,” and, according to friends, that completion gave him an even more peaceful end to his life, just short of his 68th birthday. We are glad to have known him and realize we have all lost a special colleague and friend.This letter finds us continuing to plan our Spring, nailing down the dates for what we have in mind! Watch for updates on upcoming programs. Our Workshop Bulletin will arrive shortly with a lovely group of instructors for 2015 (a little teaser is enclosed on page 4). Our nominations committee is formed with Louise Harris and Ike Cole on the hunt for “fresh blood.” Please think about the joy of serving this Guild, this group of friends, as we come into our 40th anniversary year in 2016. We really are a lovely bunchof letter lovers!Personally, please accept my thanks to you all for your outpouring of support and sympathy on the death of my own mother in November. It truly does help to know many thoughts and prayers are offered on our family’s behalf. We also received a lovely bouquet from the Guild. Thanks, yet again, for all your kindnesses, individually and as a group.

Sitting by the fire, yet counting the days ’til Spring,, Pamn

february 2015 b u l l e t i n

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The Bulletin of the Washington Calligraphers Guild is published eight times per year

from September - May with a special workshops issue in January.

The deadline for submissions for the March issue is February 15, 2015. We welcome your contributions. Please send digital files for text, photos and artwork (reflecting all levels, from

beginner to advanced) to pklinednst@aol.com. Your submissions will be interpreted as permission to use in the Bulletin, unless otherwise specified. We will use your submissions on a space-available basis and may reduce your artwork to accommodate available space. Mention in the Bulletin does

not constitute endorsement by the Washington Calligraphers Guild.

The Washington Calligraphers Guild, Inc., is a Virginia non-profit corporation, with an IRS tax designation of 501(c)(3). The guild’s mailing address is P.O. Box 3688, Merrifield, VA 22116-3688.

Visit our website at www.calligraphersguild.org.

Carolyn Goss, a former resident of the Washington, DC area and long-time member of WCG, passed away on December

22 fromstage four lung cancer. Carolyn was one of the first people that I met after I joined the guild. We were both in one of Ieuan Rees' workshops

and she was kind enough to lend me her Mitchell nibs to work with since in my ignorance, I thought that all

calligraphy was done with an Osmiroid fountain pen! So our friendship began. Although we did not see one another for many years, we took a couple of trips overseas to Wales

and shared living space at several conferences.Carolyn was gifted with tremendous talent, a loving

disposition and quirky sense of humor. She will be missed by all who knew her.

– Marta Legeckis

In remembrance...

membership newsA very warm welcome to our newest members.We’re so very glad to have you! Margaret R. Hebert – Alexandria, Virginia Marian Lesko – Gaithersburg, Maryland

Our sincere thanks to the following members who have renewed/joined at the Patron and Supporting levels. We truly appreciate your generosity!

patron Valerie Wilson Jermusyk – Wilmington, Delaware Jean Larcher – Cergy, France Susan Reeves – Cave Creek, Arizona Carlos Zarabozo – Washington, District of Columbia

supporting Hana Barker – Chelmsford, Massachusetts Charles A. Gibbs – Manasses, Virginia Louise M. Harris – Columbia, Maryland Marian Lesko – Gaithersburg, Maryland Susan Makris – Falls Church, Virginia Margaret Natsume – Monterey Park, California Katherine Rehm – Burke, Virginia Thomas Taylor – Chantilly, Virginia Lucinda Fitch Wright – Baltimore, Maryland Sharon A. Zeller – Ashburn, Virginia

washington calligraphers guild — board of directors —

– officers –president: Pamn Klinedinst

pklinednst@aol.com / 301-654-6049

vice president: Gretchen Elson gmelson@cox.net / 703-591-5482

treasurer: Derrick C. Tabor dtab221@yahoo.com / 301-330-7729

secretary: Gilda Penn gildapenn@comcast.net / 301-315-0330

member-at-large: Tiiu Kera t.kera@verizon.net / 202-547-8295

registered agent: Bob Flory bobandsue@theflorys.net / 703-569-4331

– standing committees –audit: John Stackpole

jstackpo@alum.mit.edu / 301-292-9479

budget & finance: Derrick C. Tabor dtab221@yahoo.com / 301-330-7729

bulletin liaison: Pamn Klinedinst pklinednst@aol.com / 301-654-6049

education: can you help?

exhibits: can you help?

fundraising/calligrafest co-chairs: can you help?

librarian / archivist: Lucinda Huttlinger lucindahuttlinger@gmail.com

mailings: Phyllis Ingram / 703-385-9750 pgingram1@verizon.net

membership: Sue Flory bobandsue@theflorys.net / 703-569-4331

nominating: appointed in January

programs: can you help?

publicity: Felecia McFail publicity_wcg@fohta.com / 703-892-6262

scholarship: Marta Legeckis morkaleg@yahoo.com / 301-493-8907

scripsit liaison: can you help?

website: Lorraine Swerdloff swerdloff@gmail.com / 202-723-4635

workshops: Christine Tischer chris@calligraphybychris.com / 301-745-4633

Many of you have commented on how much you enjoySue Flory’s cheery notes on your membership renewal

forms. You may now want to return the favor.

Sue recently was hospitalized and is now in rehab for some hip fractures sustained in a fall. Happily, no surgery was

required and she is progressing well and hopes to be home soon. Cards and well wishes can be sent to her at 6005

Roxbury Avenue, Springfield, Virginia 22152

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Julian Waters is selling his beloved huge solid oak drafting table, 84” x 42”. The top will tilt to any angle and is covered with rubberized cutting material. The enormous 63” main drawer

holds the largest posters and papers. It cost $1800new but you can get it for less than half that.

Email: waterslettering@yahoo.comor call 301-253-3422.

Also ask about two flat top desksand leather swivel office chairs.

notes of interest

there’s no

contest like

home

for sale:

call for entries reminder

We hope you’re enjoying the latest Scripsit, devoted to the Graceful Envelope Contest. With 141 winning envelopes from 2009 through 2014, it's inspiring how so much creativity has been channeled onto the small canvas of an envelope. Each year had a different theme and it’s fascinating to see the range of ideas and execution.

The 2015 contest is underway, encouraging WCG members and calligraphers everywhere to design an envelope around the theme, “There’s No Place Like Home.” This contest has been close to our home and hearts since 2001, when the National Postal Museum turned it over to the Guild to administer.

The deadline is March 30 and there is no entry fee.More information is on our website at http://www.calligraphersguild.org/envelope.html.Artwork by Jean Larcher and donated to WCG for the 30th Anniversary Exhibit.

www.theabbeystudio.comTen Accord Pond Drive, Hingham, MA 02043

Calligraphy, Manuscript Gilding and Related Courses - Spring/Summer 2015781.740.9000

Maryanne Grebenstein

Italic Lettering

Class/Location Description Date/Time Price Instructor

Gilded Versal Cap Copperplate Script Accordion or Concertina Book

Please contact the Continuing Ed dept at North Ben-net Street School www.nbss.edu for registration info

Calligraphic Arts, Level INEWNBSS Boston

This is a new course offering at North Bennet Street School in Boston (www.nbss.edu). We will meet for three months, one weekend per month. This course will introduct students to Italic Lettering, Copper-plate Script, and Layout/Color Fundamentals for calligraphers. Watch for the Level II course in the fall which will cover Manuscript Gilding, Layout & Color Skills, and Preparing Handlettered Artwork forcommercial printing. Upon completion of both levels, students will receive a certificate from North Bennet Street School.

Saturdays & SundaysFebruary 21 & 22,March 21 & 22, andApril 4 & 58:30 to 4:30

Copperplate Script Hingham Studio

Perfect for wedding invitations, envelopes, place cards and other stationery items, Copperplate Script is a beautiful, Victorian-era lettering style that has endless design possibilities.

Sat & SunMarch 7 & 810:00 to 4:00

Maryanne Grebenstein

$200

SpeedWorkshop-ping NEWNBSS Boston

A fun and fast-paced one-day workshop held at North Bennet Street School in Boston (www.nbss.edu). Participants will have a hands-on opportu-nity to try a broad-edged pen, learn about using a T-square and see a manuscript gilding demo.

Saturday February 78:30 to 4:30

Please contact the Continuing Ed dept at North Ben-net Street School www.nbss.edu for registration info

Maryanne Grebenstein

2015 WORKSHOPS BULLETIN

SHEILA WATERS

DAVID MCGRAIL

MARGARET MORGAN

PAT BLAIR

JACQUELINE SULLIVAN

SHANE PERRY

GRETCHEN ELSON

Calligraphy, Manuscript Gilding and Related Courses - Spring/Summer 2015 (page 2)781.740.9000

www.theabbeystudio.comTen Accord Pond Drive, Hingham, MA 02043

Versal Caps and Gilding Hingham Studio

Sat & SunApril 25 & 2610:00 to 4:00

Maryanne Grebenstein

In this class students will learn how to createbeautiful versal capital letters using gouache and 23K gold leaf, reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts of the past. Although closely related to calligraphy, these letters are drawn and painted, rather thanwritten. Calligraphy experience helpful but not necessary.

Class/Location Description Date/Time Price Instructor

A Visit to the Boston Public LibraryFREE!

Join us on a visit to the Rare Books Room at the Boston Public Library (Copley Square) to view a few of the nearly 300 illuminated manuscripts housed there. This is a very unique opportunity to get up close and personal with beautiful books - some as old as 9th century!

TuesdayApril 710:00 to 2:00

FREE! Maryanne Grebenstein

One Day Sketching Workshop Hingham Studio

This is a fun and useful one-day workshop that concentrates on sketching versal & decorated capital letters, and thumbnail sketches for layout purposes. A great day of pencil exercises especially useful as a way of recording designs from historic examples (hint, hint: great prep for the BPL visit in April!)

ThursdayMarch 1210:00 to 4:00

$100 Maryanne Grebenstein

$300

Half Day History of the Alphabet Workshop Hingham Studio

TuesdayMay 53:00 to 5:00(discussion 5:00 to 6:30)

Maryanne Grebenstein

NEW! Have you ever wondered why an A is shaped as it is, or why a large portion of the world uses the exact same set of symbols for written communica-tion? If so, join us for this quick look at the fascinat-ing history of the evolution of our alphabet. Stay for a glass of wine and informative discussion after the workshop.

$75

European Manuscript Trip to Paris, Mont Saint Michel/Avranches, London and DublinMay 20 - June 2

Contact the studio for details 781-740-9000 or info@theabbeystudio.com

ItalicLetteringHingham Studio

Saturday & SundayJuly 25 & 2610:00 to 4:00

Beginning with the basics of pen angle, letter slope, and letter proportion, participants will learn how to create the Italic alphabet. Lots of practice using broad-edged pens and a few simple projects to really get familiar with this lovely style of lettering.

Maryanne Grebenstein

$200

Classroom Abroad Trip to Paris and the South of FranceSeptember 30 - October 11

Contact the studio for details 781-740-9000 or info@theabbeystudio.com

RefresherCourseHingham Studio

Saturday & SundayJune 27 & 2810:00 to 4:00

New! We all know the only way to become proficient in calligraphy is to practice constantly. We all also know how difficult it is to set the time aside to prac-tice. This course is designed to reinforce the learning experienced in previous Abbey Studio classes and work on perfecting your lettering. Italic, Uncial and Copperplate will be the main focus with particular attention paid to pen angle, letter slope and filling the x-height properly.

Maryanne Grebenstein

$200

T he Abbey Studio in Hingham, Massachusetts is pleased to be announcing the course listings for spring/summer calligraphy classes. They are working on adding classes and changing some formats and scheduling. In addition to traditional calligraphy courses, they have added a one-day sketching course, a visit to the Rare Books Room at the Boston Public Library, and a fun half-day workshop on the history of the alphabet. They have also added a Refresher Workshop. Be on the watch for more in-depth classes beginning in 2016. This schedule can also be accessed on their website at www.theabbeystudio.com.

Watch for the Workshop Bulletin and start making your 2015 plans!

studyopportunities

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Nan Jay Barchowsky is an educator who has developed the handwriting system

“Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting” and markets educational programs about

the subject. More information about her products and her blog can be found at

http://www.bfhhandwriting.com.

Controversy: The dance of the pen versus digital communication is part of the Common Core rant. Calligraphers may be especially concerned if - Nan Jaythey have young children and grandchildren.

Substantial research supports the need to teach children handwriting. Most schools teach, have taught, or are/were supposed to teach it. There is a classroom problem–time to teach it! The most common practice is to teach print-script in the earliest grades. The characters are slowly drawn and stiff. Except for ‘e’ alphanumeric strokes start at the top and move down. Habits of movement (motor memory) are established only to be later tossed out. In second or third grade new habits must be formed for a cursive alphabet with very different ductus (stroke direction and sequence) that allows all lowercase letters within words to join.

As readers well know, it takes practice, practice, practice to learn a new hand. Few young children have the interest, motivation or ability for this. So, as they grow older they achieve chicken scratch.

Currently, parents, legislators and others of influence are pushing for inclusion of ‘cursive’ in curricula. It seems the word, cursive, has come to define only the copperplate derived version that dates to the latter part of the nineteenth century. Some use the term, conventional cursive.

A variety of cursives have been used throughout the ages whenever literate people needed to make quick notations. For our Roman alphabet there is a better cursive, italic, easier to teach, read, and faster to write.

I have been sending out comments to many in the media, hoping to promote the study of the available research before decisions are made about handwriting instruction. Should conventional cursive be taught or another more fluent hand? Why conventional cursive when many people say they cannot read it?

Here are some of the misguided, misquoted statements I often read, and try to counter:

1) It strengthens cognition. No, any writing by hand does that.

2) It is faster. No, that’s never been proved.

3) We need to read the Constitution and Granny’s letters. Not a problem: it takes less than an hour to learn to read the conventional cursive alphabet.

4) It benefits fine motor skill. Then why do I see so many media graphics of children writing their conventional cursive lesson with death grips on pencils? No one is teaching the relaxed pen hold that is essential to fluent writing!

5) We need signatures. No, every hand makes anindividual mark.

Advocates of conventional cursive may truly believe the unproven claims that conventional cursive is superior. Frequently, the media backs up this belief by misinterpreting and misquoting researchers. Yes, even a recent New York Times article was misinterpreted.

Many of you have studied and use both italic and copperplate. You know the variations these hands can have. Simple versions of formal italic can be upright or moderately slanted. It is highly legible. It also will easily transform into simple, flowing, everyday handwriting. Basic, unjoined lowercase letters do not change ductus in order to join into a fluent hand. This simplicity makes classroom instruction efficient, with plenty of time to teach computing too.

Handwriting in elementary grades strengthens cognition. So children do need it. They move their hands and fingers to form letters. The action goes into motor memory to be recalled for reading. For the sake of better education for our children, serious, thoughtful attention is needed.

debunking pro-cursive arguments

— Nan Jay BarchowskyControversy: The dance of the pen versus digital communication is part of the Common Core rant. Calligraphers may be especially concerned if they have young children and grandchildren.

Left: This photo was found by my husband as he was flying home from Alaska and reading the January/February 2015 issue of The Atlantic. (This was a menu that I created for the Vice President's Residence over six years ago – you never know where these things will end up!) — Lee Ann Clark

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From the Media

awinterygallery

spaceClockwise from right: Winter solstice invitation by Carol

DuBosch; Love by Michael Clark and Rachel Yellott; Solstice Bookmark by Carol DuBosch; an Honorable

Mention winning entry from the 2014 Graceful Envelope Contest by Jill Norvell.

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gallery space

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Clockwise from top left: piece with woven grasses and shells by Gerry Jackson Kerdok; two panels of a card created by Sandy Olson; a close-up of Sanskrit, in watercolor of the sutra ‘Ushna Shita’ (Hot Cold) by Ashira Malka; a wedding invitation set created by Marcy Robinson; a Christmas card made by Vello Paluoja, a WCG guild member in Estonia. (The center is in English, with Silvia and Vello being the first names of the couple; on the left, the Estonian words wish the reader peaceful Christmas holidays and, on the right, they wish much success in the new year – submitted by Tiiu Kera.)

— directions to guild meetings — Concord-St. Andrews Church

5910 Goldsboro RoadBethesda, Maryland 20817-6034

Concord-St. Andrews Church sits on a hill at the intersection of River Road and Goldsboro Road in Bethesda, Maryland. Take the Beltway to River Road (exit 39 towards Washington). Turn left onto Goldsboro Road. The driveway to the church property is almost immediately to the right. Enter the Social Hall through the first

door on the left side of the church. Board meetings are heldin the Chapel on the main level of the church.

— Envelope addressed to Iris Anderson by Jean Larcher.

p.o. box 3688, merrifield, va 22116 • www.calligraphersguild.org

address service requested 2 / 2015

march meeting"Lovelies, Leftovers

and Lemons!"monday, march 9

7:00 p.m.Brenda Broadbent, former owner of Paper & Ink Arts,

will bring a stash of SALE (!!!) goodies (books,sweatshirts, supplies) from remaining items from the

former home of Paper & Ink near Frederick.

Brenda will also demo a couple of her favorite tools (black glaze pens & finetec gold), field supply questions for a bit, and show how to load a Parallel Pen with gouache.

WCG Librarian Lucinda Huttlinger will also have

a variety of books from our extensive library on display.

nonprofit org.u.s. postage

paidmerrifield vapermit no. 742